Sakshi Malik was born on September 3, 1992, in Rohtak, Haryana, India. She was introduced to wrestling at a young age by her father, Sukhbir Malik, who was also a wrestler. Despite facing societal pressures and stereotypes about female athletes in Haryana, Sakshi pursued her passion for wrestling with determination.

Sakshi began her wrestling career at the age of 12 under the guidance of her coach, Ishwar Dahiya. She trained rigorously and participated in various national and international wrestling competitions. She won a bronze medal at the 2010 Junior World Championships in the 58 kg category, which marked her emergence as a promising young wrestler.

Sakshi Malik’s breakthrough moment came at the 2016 Rio Olympics. In the 58 kg category, she fought her way through challenging bouts, ultimately winning the bronze medal. Her victory was significant not only because it was India’s first medal at the Rio Olympics but also because it shattered gender barriers in Indian sports, encouraging more girls to pursue wrestling.

Apart from her Olympic success, Sakshi Malik has won several medals in international competitions, including gold at the 2014 Dave Schultz International Wrestling Tournament and silver at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Sakshi Malik has received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to Indian sports. She was honored with the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award in 2016, India’s highest sporting honor. She has also been conferred with the Padma Shri, one of the highest civilian awards in India, in recognition of her achievements in wrestling.

Sakshi Malik is married to fellow wrestler Satyawart Kadian. The couple got engaged in October 2016 and married in April 2017.

Sakshi Malik’s journey from a small town in Haryana to becoming an Olympic medalist has inspired many aspiring athletes in India, especially young girls, and she continues to be a role model for the country’s wrestling community.